[T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide] Blue6IX:
Setting up the Windows XP environment

Post 1 - Pre(r)amble

Post 2 - Setting up the Windows XP environment

Post 3 - Time to make some backups

Post 4 - Install Android SDK on WinXP

Post 5 - Getting started: Using the SDK

Post 6 - Other programs to consider

Post 7 - doubleshot Specifics.

So, just got ahold of a cast-off desktop recently, you know, one that was new sometime in the last decade ... owner upgraded and had no use for it. It's a 32-bit system and doesn't have crazy specs... and that's just fine for what we will be doing with it.

Compaq Presario SR1750NX

Amd Athlon 3500+ 2.2 GHz processor

512 MB of RAM.

A lot of this stuff is pretty lightweight if you approach it the right way - both for you and the machine.

It's really easy to bog down your system if you install things in a less efficient manner. Chances are you didn't even know it was done out of order since a lot of us are self taught simply because we're curious.

This stuff is all a lot of fun, but you only learn what you come across. There may very well be gaps in knowledge that you don't even realize you have -

it's a problem I run into all the time

. This document hopes to fill those gaps in setting up a Windows XP system to work on, because we all just want to have fun with this.

Who wants to spend time cleaning up after a bad install that would've been fine if the order of something was just different? So here is a pretty detailed step by step on how I built a Windows XP machine up from a freshly formatted hard drive.

You would be expected to know how to install Windows XP on your computer, that is not covered, but I pick up right after a fresh install. This is not the only way to set it up, and I do focus on taking your time and doing it by the book.

If you have never installed Windows XP before, you may want to become comfortable with that before doing so. Bootdisk.com may be a good place to start looking some information up - but you can scan down and pick up changes you can make or add to an existing install as well from this guide.

----

Since I just went through setting up a dev computer from scratch on Windows XP, I figured i'd lay out the steps I took for others to refer to. I've learned so much in such a short time - thanks to XDA and helpful people here. Writing these guides is helping me summarize what i've learned and lock the knowledge in, I do this anyway as part of my learning process. Having a place to share them where other people can make use of the information is fantastic, and i'm glad to be able to conribute something to a place that has helped me so much.

Here is a link to another Windows XP setup description I wrote for MicroSD card testing in the Nook Color forums that may be worth referencing: MicroSD Test Environment

Reboot = Save

- In Windows, when you make changes to the system - such as adding or removing programs or changing system settings, those changes are not saved until you successfully write all of the data from RAM back to disk. A reboot or power off the right way accomplishes this. Given that if this operation fails, the install is questionable, it seems like rebooting after every program or every other makes sense - especially ones that add shortcut menu functions.

Do not plug the doubleshot into the computer until prompted to do so by the guide to ensure the right drivers are installed the first time.

--------

Windows XP Initial Configuration.

1 - Install Windows XP fresh.

2 - Ensure all necessary drivers for the computer are installed, rebooting as necessary.

3 - Plug in USB HDD/Flash drive, or any cds and so forth that may have Microsoft Updates or drivers for Windows XP and install these.

4 - Run disk cleanup, and disk defragmenter.

5 - Reboot the computer.

--------

Introducing the doubleshot to the desktop computer:

Done in this specific order it lets Windows XP install the correct drivers the first time you plug the doubleshot in to the desktop machine.

1 - Install the doubleshot Fastboot Drivers.

2 - Install HTC Sync. *Complete install.

3 - Reboot computer.

4 - Exit HTC Sync

5 - Plug doubleshot in to the computer through USB for the first time.

6 - Allow windows to find and install the phone completely.

7 - Safely eject the phone from the computer.

8 - Reboot the computer.

9 - Exit HTC Sync.

Then:

1 - Reboot the doubleshot.

* - Optimal performance on a fresh install of your current ROM or a factory reset on stock prior to first talking to the computer.

Not mandatory. You will have an all around better dev experience just starting fresh with a clean slate across both computer and device, from most development standpoints.

NOTE: Always make sure to always exit HTC Sync on the computer before connecting the doubleshot.

NOTE 2: If the doubleshot is the storage medium for getting the fastboot drivers and HTC Sync program on the computer, do this to make sure the drivers are installed before connecting the doubleshot the first time:

0 - Download the driver files on to the MicroSD card on the device.

1 - Power down the doubleshot.

2 - Remove the battery cover, and the battery.

3 - Eject the MicroSD card from the phone.

4 - Use your USB card reader to plug the MicroSD card in to the computer. It will load drivers for the card reader the first time you plug it in, so let that finish before proceeding.

5 - Copy the doubleshot Fastboot Drivers and HTC Sync program from the MicroSD card to the desktop of the computer.

6 - Safely eject the MicroSD card from the computer.

7 - Insert the MicroSD card back in to doubleshot, then replace the battery.

8 - Power the doubleshot back on.

9 - Install the drivers in the order listed above, making sure not to connect the doubleshot until called for.

This will ensure that Windows installs the correct drivers the first time the doubleshot is connected to the computer. You won't have to uninstall a generic driver Windows may have tried to use instead.

--------

Using the doubleshot as a local wifi access point:

NOTE: This will work on a non-rooted stock doubleshot.

You can use the doubleshot's wifi and usb cable to your desktop to connect to your wifi router. If your dev box is in an inconvenient location and you have a wifi network, the doubleshot itself provides the solution.

After introducing the doubleshot correctly to your computer, and having safely disconnected and rebooted both, do this:

1 - Enable wifi and connect the doubleshot to your wifi network.

2 - Plug the doubleshot in to your computer.

3 - Go to Settings -> "Wireless & Networks" and select "Internet Pass-through"

3A - Give it a moment to properly set up the function on your computer

3B - Un-check "Internet Pass-through", let it all close out.

4 - Select "USB tethering", give it a moment to start up.

4A -

Make sure the USB tethering setting is set to Windows first.

On the computer:

5 - Right click the "My Network Places" icon and select "Properties"

5B -

Alternate:

Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> "Network Connections"

6 - Right click on your HTC connection, select "Properties"

7 - Click the "Advanced tab", then click the

Windows Firewall

"Settings" button.

8 - Turn the firewall off, select "OK" back to the "Network Connections" window and close it.

You should now be connected to your home wifi network using the doubleshot as a local wifi access point.

NOTE: When doing updates to the computer, you will need to select "restart later" and then safely eject the doubleshot before turning off the computer.

Follow these steps:

0 - Choose "restart later"

1 - Turn off "USB tethering" on the device.

2 - Safely eject the doubleshot from the computer.

3 - Unplug the doubleshot.

4 - Then reboot the computer.

This procedure is how I got my desktop box on the internet at my house without running a cable, though I did have it plugged in to the router direct for the Windows Updates part. The rest of the guide I did through the doubleshot as the bridge between my desktop and the wifi router. Pretty cool :)

This will work without a SIM card, you just need a wifi home network.

--------

Updating the Windows XP computer:

Connect to Windows Update, and bring all critical updates current. Reboot as necessary.

NOTE: If you have redistributable update packages saved to cd or other media, installing them first before connecting to Windows Update will save a lot of time.

Make sure to keep checking back until it says no critical updates are remaining. Make sure all drivers are up to date.

Also get:

* - .net framework 4.0 update.

* - Recommend the other .net frameworks available for compatibility.

* - Internet Exploerer 8.

After the final updates are complete, and no new critical updates need to be installed, reboot the computer again even if it doesn't ask you to.

Then:

1 - Right click "My Computer" and select "Properties" to display the "System Properties" window.

1B -

Alternate:

Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> "System"

2 - Click the "Advanced" tab.

3 - Under "Performance", click "Settings"

4 - Choose "Adjust for best performance" and click "OK", then "OK" again to acknowledge the changes in the "System Properties" window.

5 - Set any preferred display settings, choose a different background if desired.

6 - Run "Disk Cleanup" and then "Disk Defragmenter".

7 - Reboot the computer.

8 - Install Google Chrome Browser and make it default.

9 - Reboot the computer.

Final Programs: Download and Install

1 - Download and install Notepad-plus-plus. Reboot the computer when install finishes.

2 - Download and install 7-Zip. Reboot the computer when install finishes.

3 - Download and install the Bulk Rename Utility. Reboot the computer when install finishes.

4 - Download and install the Revolutionary: S-OFF & Recovery Tool 0.4pre4

5 - Run "Disk Cleanup" and then "Disk Defragmenter".

6 - Reboot the computer.

7 - Stop. Follow the directions below to wrap up the Windows XP Initial Setup.

--------

Wrapping up Part 1:

We have done all of our Windows Updates, and installed the other necessary Microsoft packages to continue. We have also set up the computer to talk to the doubleshot. Some system settings were configured and you basically have a fresh Windows XP computer waiting for you to build on it. We will use Chrome as our browser, but keep Internet Explorer for the ftp capabilities. A few necessary dev programs have been installed.

Now is a good time to plug in a USB hard drive or from other media add any graphics to your "My Pictures" folder in "My Documents".

Also add any current project files and other programs you may have downloaded previously.

Install a cd-burning program of your choice, if applicable. If not, when you see a recommendation to make a cd-backup, use some other media instead.

Now would also be the time to install a disk imaging utility of your choice, if you plan on using one. Make your first system image now.

This is also a good time to create a system restore point if you are using them.